If you’re heading to one of the oldest and historically significant cities in Ireland, you’ll surely want to take some Instagram-worthy photos to impress friends and family. Luckily a lot of our notable buildings are picture-perfect as well as having a rich history and interesting stories to tell. Here are some of our favourite beautiful places to visit, close to your ideal Kilkenny accommodation, Pembroke Hotel, to make travelling to Kilkenny well worth it.
Ireland’s second-largest medieval cathedral was established by St. Canice as a monastic settlement in the 6th century. It suffered extensive damage throughout the years and was refurbished in the 18- century keeping many of the original features but adding a more modern beauty. The structure of the cathedral is impressive from both the inside and outside. You can also climb the historic round tower on the grounds for a bird’s eye view of the entire city.
The magnificent Kilkenny Castle overlooks the River Nore and has guarded this important river crossing for more than 900 years. It’s easily one of the most remarkable and well-known historical sites in the whole of Kilkenny and also one of the most beautiful. It’s a popular spot for wedding pictures, not just because of the gorgeous castle but the rolling green fields surrounding it. It’s now a gorgeous tourist destination with a historic house holding important art collections, a library, drawing room and the noted Long Gallery.
The original house was built between 1594 and 1610 and was the home of landowner and Mayor of Kilkenny City, John Rothe Fitz Piers, his wife and their children. It is the only example of an early 17th-century merchant’s townhouse in Ireland and it’s a gorgeous place to visit and take pictures. They have a perfect recreation of the original Rothe Garden as they discovered the archaeological remains of the gardens original layout and used popular plants and flowers of the time to recreate it.
If you’re more interested in the natural history and beauty of Kilkenny, you can pay a visit to Dunmore Caves. You can discover more about the Viking invasion in Kilkenny and witness the impressive beauty of nature’s calcite sculptures, stalagmites and stalactites. The atmospherically lit caves are quite dark but with the right camera and a bit of skill, you should be able to capture some of the best of Ireland’s underground wonders on camera.
Originally home to a group of peaceful Dominican Friars, Black Abbey has been standing since the year 1220 and got its name from the colour the friars wore. While on the outside it may look like any other ancient stone structure, the inside is where you can witness the beauty and character of the church. It is home to the largest and most impressive Rose Window in Ireland depicting the five mysteries of the Rosary. When the sun shines directly behind the window, the entire structure is illuminated with vivid colour
Travelling to Kilkenny is always worth the trip but what makes it even more special is a visit to the stunning Pembroke Hotel. Your Kilkenny accommodation should be as impressive as the gorgeous city surrounding it and at Pembroke Hotel, we have it all. We offer great value special offers, luxury accommodation and an unrivalled location in the heart of the city, just steps from some of our biggest attractions. Call our friendly team today or
make your booking online.